Unseen

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

ISAIAH 58:10-11

HAVE YOU EVER FELT OVERLOOKED? Maybe you didn’t get invited to a birthday party everyone else was going to. Or maybe you got chosen last for the team. Or maybe nobody talked to you at school or everyone at home seemed too busy to hear about your day.

Feeling forgotten or overlooked is a sad feeling. We all want to be noticed and wanted. In moments when people seem to forget about us, we hurt. We all need friends and relationships where we feel seen—not forgotten.

If you feel overlooked, it’s important to talk to an adult about it. Sometimes this is just a passing experience that goes away on its own. Other times, it’s something that happens a lot, and for that we can get help from an adult. And never forget that even when the people around us don’t see us, God always sees us. He’s always with us, and he knows when we feel overlooked. He will never overlook us.

Another great way to feel better when it seems like no one sees us is to look for someone else who’s feeling the same way. Reach out to that person and let him or her know you see. Help that person feel special, wanted, and seen—and there’s a 1,000% chance you’ll feel much better too.

DO

Think about someone you know who might feel overlooked. What could you do today or tomorrow to show that person you see him or her? Maybe it’s stopping to say hi when you don’t normally. Or maybe it’s making the person a card or asking him or her to sit with you at lunch. Whatever you choose, do it!

PRAY

Dear God,

Thank you for always seeing me and for knowing when I feel overlooked. Remind me that you never leave me and that I can always count on you. Thank you. Amen.

READ

Psalm 139:11; Acts 20:35